Lucienne A Dionne

Lucienne Alida Dionne, née Séguin, age 98, of Potsdam, New York, passed away on Friday October 19, 2018 at the United Helpers Maplewood Campus in Canton New York where she had been a resident since August of 2015.

Born in Alexandria, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of the late Henri and Florida Séguin, née Levac, on December 8, 1919, Lucienne attended Alexandria, Ontario Schools and graduated in 1935.

On May 3, 1947, she married William Thomas Dionne with the Rev. J.A. Brunelle officiating at the Church of the Nativité in Cornwall, Ontario. They made and built their first home in London, Ontario, Canada, subsequently moving to Québec and then Cornwall, Ontario, where her husband continued to work as a mason. After several years, the family immigrated to the United States (Potsdam, New York) to continue his career, ultimately, as a residential contractor and builder.

In the course of her first year in the United States, Lucienne had a very rudimentary understanding and knowledge of English. However, as she learned, so did she teach and reinforce the English language to both her husband and her daughter. While embracing the customs, language and traditions of her own French Canada, she became proficient at incorporating those of her “new” country. One of her proudest moments was becoming a naturalized American citizen at the St. Lawrence County Courthouse in Canton, New York.

Lucienne was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and dedicated homemaker, a former member of St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society and a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She also worked part time as a teacher’s aide at the Lawrence Avenue Elementary School for approximately fifteen years. Lucienne enjoyed reading, sewing and gardening. However, cooking was her passion and delight and she loved to cook and entertain family, especially her two grandchildren whom she adored.

She is preceded in death by her husband William (“Willie”) of 46 years who passed away May 19,1993, her three brothers Albert (Mary Ann) Séguin, Arcade (Viola) Séguin and Laurier (Rita) Séguin and her three sisters Laura Séguin (Albert) Ranger/(Marius) Delage, Amanda Séguin (Arthur) Demers, and Blanche Séguin (Paul) Trottier, all of Ontario and Québec, Canada.

Survivors include her daughter Jacqueline D. and son-in-law F. Anthony (“Tony”) Keating of Watertown, New York and her two grandchildren, Katherine D. Keating and husband James A. Bates of Melbourne, Australia and John M. Keating of Watertown, New York, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other living relatives and friends and her four guardian angels – Betty, Grace, Rebecca and Harriet.

The Dionne/Keating family would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to the Medical Director, Dr. Gregory Healey and the staff at Maplewood Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, Canton, New York who took such wonderful care, treating her always with loving concern.

Funeral arrangements are with the Garner Funeral Service, 10 Lawrence Avenue, Potsdam, New York (315) 265-5350. There are no calling hours. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 20 Lawrence Avenue, Potsdam, New York on Tuesday October 23, 2018 at 11:00 am with Rev. Stephen Rocker, Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Pierrepont Avenue/Rte.56 in Potsdam.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Potsdam Rescue Squad, 29 Elm St. Potsdam, New York 13676 or St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society, c/o St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 17 Lawrence Avenue, Potsdam, New York 13676.

Que Dieu te garde pour toujours auprès de lui, maman.